After the Imperial Presidency
The story of the United States is in many ways the story of the push and pull between the executive and legislative branches. Consider just the last half-century or so. Full Story »
Posted by Chris Finnie
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Posted by Chris Finnie - Nov 9, 2008 - 3:58 PM PST
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Chris Finnie (review), Dwight Rousu (review)
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Chris Finnie - Nov 9, 2008 - 3:58 PM PST
Consider the last half-century or so... and then he does--examining the rise and fall of the executive branch, the balance of power (though he mostly leaves out the judicial) and why Congress has been so pliant during the Bush administration--all in exhaustive detail. It's a history wonk's delight.
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(12 answers)
Mahler provides an interesting historical tale. The timidity of the Senate in the face of the presidential defiling of the constitution and the disrespect of Senatorial authority is told from the perspective of senior Senators, primarily Republicans. The timidity is well documented; the causes for it are lightly documented. It makes good background reading.
Two causes for the timidity seem primary. One is the financing of expensive elections that Mahler mentions in passing. Publicly financed elections are needed to return the congress to looking after the will of the people and the good of the country. The second reason for timidity is a rabid attack media dominated by the radical right that has launched vicious attacks against anybody opposing the political stances of the far right. Mahler does not address that cause, though Conyers ... More »
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(13 answers)
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